A substitute teacher claimed he was not allowed back into a Missouri school after thanking students for saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

Parkway School District said the teacher’s comments led to students who did not recite the pledge to feel humiliated and were later teased.

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The district added the decision to let go of the teacher was based on a “pattern of inappropriate conduct.”

A substitute teacher claimed he was not allowed back into a Missouri school after thanking students for saying the Pledge of Allegiance in October.

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The incident happened in late October after Parkway South High School made its announcements, which is when the pledge is recited, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Friday.

“So at the end of the pledge I said, ‘Thanks to all of you that participated in that. I’m sure that all of those families who lost loved ones so that we could enjoy the freedoms we have today would appreciate the effort,'” Jim Furkin said, the Post-Dispatch reported.

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Students are not required to recite the pledge. Some students may sit, remain quiet, or even kneel as the pledge is said.

One student asked to go to the counselor’s officer, according to the Post-Dispatch. A school administrator told Furkin a student was “hurt” by the comments made after the pledge.

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Furkin has been a substitute teacher at Parkway School District in St. Louis County for nearly 10 years, according to The Associated Press.

The district said the students who did not choose to stand were “humiliated and then teased,” according to the statement.